Gout is a form of arthritis that’s characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints. The cause of gout is a high blood level of uric acid (hyperuricemia), which can accumulate in joints and lead to inflammation.

Older people may also have an increased risk of developing tophi”crystal deposits made up of uric acid found around tissues of joints affected by gout.

An effective gout-prevention diet usually limits food with high purine. Aside from avoiding high purine foods, maintaining a healthy body weight is important for gout patients as well. Do not follow a high-protein low-carb diet as this can worsen gout conditions.

There may be no classic symptoms of a gout attack. There are many other conditions with symptoms similar to gout. Diets which are high in purines and high in protein have long been suspected of causing an increased risk of gout (a type of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the body which form crystals in the joints, resulting in pain and inflammation). High amounts of purines are found in anchovies, herring, mackerel, sardines, scallops, organ meats ( liver, brain, kidney and sweetbreads).

Drink 2 to 3 L of fluid daily. Adequate fluid intake helps dilute urinary uric acid. However, limit consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks, which have been linked to an increased risk of gout.

The buildup of uric acid that leads to your gout attack can still harm your joints. This is the best way to test for gout. Relief from a gout attack often begins within 24 hours if you start treatment right away. To ease the pain during a gout attack, rest the joint that hurts.

Research has revealed that there is a strong, undeniable link between seafood and gout. Fasting or severe dieting can actually raise uric acid levels and cause gout to worsen.

Consuming coffee and tea is not a problem but alcohol can raise uric acid levels and provoke an episode of gout. Experts at Mayo Clinic suggest that medications for gout have reduced the need for dietary restrictions, but some modification can decrease the severity or frequency of gout attacks. Dietary modification may be preferred by people who cannot tolerate gout medications. An initial attack of gout (50% of initial attacks involve the big toe) may last several days and disappear even if untreated. Knowing how to treat gout is important for preventing attacks.

Treatment goals for gout include terminating acute gout attacks, rapid and safe relief of pain and inflammation, preventing future attacks, and avoiding complications (formation of tophi, kidney stones, and joint destruction).

Though gout treatment is most often treated successfully and without complications, it becomes more of a challenge if other conditions exist along with gout or if there is poor patient compliance to recommended lifestyle changes or a medication regimen.

Gout is thought to be due to drinking too much alcohol and eating too many rich foods. Although eating certain foods and drinking alcohol may trigger a rise in the level of uric acid in the body, these habits may not by themselves cause gout.

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